Select filmmakers in attendance.
Monday, May 19, 8:30 p.m. | The immigrant experience is a journey of distance and time. These shorts ask: what can you take with you, and what must be left behind? In THE VOICE OF BAMBOO (pictured, dir. David Zheng, 15 min.), a Japanese elder shares his journey from a life of crime, to finding peace as a bamboo farmer. TASTING HERITAGE (dir. Emily Strong, 20 min.) is a coming-of-culture story of reclaiming heritage through food. In SWIMMING LESSONS (dir. Meloddy Gao, 22 min.), a daughter of immigrants learns what her parents never taught her. In YOU’RE TOO SENSITIVE (dir. Dan Chen, 11 min.), the director documents a family reunion. DEAR ALOHA (Cris Romento, 15 min.) asks how Native Hawaiians keep the feeling of Aloha in their hearts. In SOME KIND OF JAPANESE (dir. Robyn Tomiko, 18 min.), immigrant identity is explored through the Japanese-American experience. And BALIK/BAYAN (dir. Paula Kiley, 8 min.) chronicles the life of balikbayan box company founder Manny Paez. Dialogue: Select filmmakers in attendance.
Asian American Showcase | May 16–22, 2025
Presented as an annual collaboration with the Foundation for Asian American Independent Media and now celebrating its 28th year, the Asian American Showcase (AAS) provides a platform for new work by established and emerging Asian American filmmakers. Synopses provided by AAS. Learn more at faaim.org.
The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu